EasyKart and TAG

John Ward · Posted: Tue Feb 10, 2004 10:02 pm Post subject: EasyKart and TAG

Recently i've purchased an EasyKart 125, and am loving every second of driving it. I have recently been exploring other series just to see what is available out there for TAG, and one thing has always been at the top of my mind...

Due to the EasyKart being a complete spec car, chassis included, how can they compare or be classed with karts like Rotax, or karts using any of the other TAG motors with whatever chassis they choose, and with whatever adjustability they desire. With the EasyKart, you can't adjust as much as you can with others.

Also, with it being air-cooled rather than water-cooled, does that affect it any, other than maybe a weight distribution difference?

I guess the question, is can the EasyKart platform run with, and be competitive with the average TAG setup due to its limitations, and if not, is it getting any consideration with the rules-makers? Will i have to buy another complete TAG setup just to run in another series that has TAG involvement?
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John W.
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Chuck McCue · Joined: 17 Jul 2001 Posts: 2945

John,
The Easykart package is very adjustable and can be competitive with any other TaG package. Remember the Easykart is a Birel chassis and a IAME motor which are some of the top names in karting. Just because you can not change axles, caster,camber, jets wheels, gears, etc. in the Easykart only series does not mean you can not in a more open TaG format.
The Easykart has proven to be faster at most club races in the southeast due to its hi-HP to weight aspect. The only downside to the easy compared to H20 cooled packages is that in longer races the H20 cooled versions will be more consistant in HP ant the end of a long race. If you decide to run local races with it this will not come into play since the locals normally run short heats and features.
Start off in the local series were you will run next to Leopards, Rotaxes, Roc's, and other TaG's. Put the kart on the track and see where you stack up! Very Happy

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Chuck McCue

Wesley Shelton · Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2004 1:32 pm Post subject:

All I can tell you is that the lap times these Easy Karts run at Homestead stack up very well against the Rotax.

Chuck McCue · Joined: 17 Jul 2001 Posts: 2945

Looks like you will be able to run in the Stars program nationally now.
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Chuck McCue

Andy Seesemann · Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2004 9:59 pm Post subject:

Chuck,

I would like your opinion of STARS adding EK to their National program.

Even though my driver won the National Championship, I didn't think that Rotax was a good fit with what the STARS mission was. I think that EK is even further from that mission.

How do you think the turnout is going to be?

I can tell you my opinion. There are over 2500 ROTAXes running around in the US. It is a 4+ year old program worldwide. STARS had four races in the areas with the largest ROTAX population (FLA, CA and WA) and still averaged less than 8 entries at each race.

With EK only having about 5% of the total ROTAXes (by estimate) and really only catching on in one area (FLA), what the hell do you think they are thinking?

Is it only about $$$$$$$$$ ?

A
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Andy Seesemann
FULL THROTTLE KARTING
Orange County, CA.
www.fullthrottlekarting.com
Rotax Challenge of the Americas
www.rotaxchallenge.com
WKA District 10 Trustee
www.worldkarting.com
Really Good Guy.

Jim Durrell · Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2004 10:25 pm Post subject:

Is EK the setup that Montoya is working with? If so, do you think that's the reason behind their inclusoin?

Curious,

Jim Durrell

Confused

Chuck McCue · Joined: 17 Jul 2001 Posts: 2945

A,
I think the inclusion of Easykart to the Stars program is justified. They are only adding one class, the 125cc class. It gives a young racer the oppertunity to compete for a car test and possibly have a career in open wheel racing, with a budget minded package. Vast differance from other spec. programs is the complete package is spec. Motor (one rebuilder), Chassis (birel), Tires (MG). In keeping with the Stars "vision" The champion will get a three day test in a Formula BMW, plus a real $15,000 cash prize. Yes, Money was involved just as it is in Rotax or any other series. Having JPM and his father trackside supporting this program is a big plus. What other series would drool at having a current F1 driver support their program?
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Chuck McCue

Rob Hogenmiller · Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2004 2:22 pm Post subject:

It kind of sounds like an arrive and drive program? Is that going to be the case, or is it they will be providing back up karts to someone who might wreck theirs up?

Michael Suda · Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2004 3:19 pm Post subject: EasyKart in TAG

After reading the TAGUSA rules it appears that EasyKart cannot run in TAG. There was no mention of this package or a minimum weight. Am I correct? Are there any plans to include them?

Joe Budden · Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2004 6:26 pm Post subject:

Im liking this idea for easykart, so is this car TAG???? The engine is like a rotax, you cant change anything by yourself, what axle 40mm or 50mm does the easykart run with. Im just curious, this class seems very nice. The only thing that I dont like is the air cooled engine.

Chuck McCue · Joined: 17 Jul 2001 Posts: 2945

Joe,
Yes this car is of the TaG group, wether it is accepted by SKUSA and allowed to run with other Tag's we shall see. You can change many things yourself, except inside the engine. As far as engine work you will be glad to know there is only one builder so you do not have to worry about multiple servicenters/competitors building your motors. For example you can change reeds and axles but they must be easykart parts. However the axle is a standard Birel part # and the reeds are a standard IAME part #. You can get them wherever you like as long as there are the exact #. The air cooled engine keeps it simple. The Easykart concept is the most true spec kart there is, bar none.
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Chuck McCue

Chuck McCue · Joined: 17 Jul 2001 Posts: 2945

double post, sorry.
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Chuck McCue

Jim Durrell · Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2004 11:40 pm Post subject:

Was the engine in the EK submitted to TAG USA or SKUSA for certification for 2004?

If not, I don't see how TAG USA could really allow it in their program.

On the other hand, maybe SKUSA would take a look at it for a stand alone class at the regional level. Or, would they see it as another fragmentation of karting?

Jim Durrell

joseph hollinger · Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2004 8:32 am Post subject:

Sally Mangham · Joined: 13 Sep 2001 Posts: 127

Easykart is already a stand alone class on the Regional level, with the WKA Florida Championship Series. They happen to be the banner sponsor for that series. We offer all four of the Easykart classes. Just to let you know, the biggest classes Easykart has right now on the local level in Homestead/Miami, last weekend they had 16 Easy 60's (8-12) and 16 Easy 125 Lites (15&up) and about 12-14 Easy 125 Heavy's (15&up). The competition level is great in this class.

It is my understanding that the Easykart engine has been submitted to SKUSA to be included in the TAG format for the National tour, however the kart will not be run in "true" Easykart status, meaning it will not be a full spec kart in that competition. So, the additional expense of hubs, etc., will apply in that series.

Information can be found at www.easykart.com or www.flwkasprintseries.com.

Great class, great kart, great concept............without a doubt.

Sally Mangham
Florida Championship Series Director